Thursday, The Next Morning

“Let’s go you guys, we don’t want to be late!” shouted Rylan to his sleepy household as he packed Chloe’s lunch in the kitchen.

Chloe came down first, rubbing her eyes.

“Well, at least you're dressed!” said Rylan greeting her with a plate of scrambled eggs.

“Ya, I saw Leif, he’s dressed too, but Maya- eh?” Chloe caught a glimpse of something in the front yard. “Rylan, is that yours?” she said pointing out the window.

“Hmm?” he mumbled sliding the window curtain open.

..Ah?..Well that’s just great.

Rylan frowned and stepped out to the yard with Chloe who ran in front of him to marvel at...

“Yaa! It’s a futuristic motorcycle from space!” she yelled.

“So it seems,” said Rylan.

Before them stood an all black EBR 1190rs sports motorcycle. A high performance, barely street legal beast, capable of speeds over two hundred miles per hour.

“Why me?” muttered Rylan, shaking his head at the beautiful machine.

Chloe hopped on the seat and grabbed the handles.

"Rylan, I don’t think this bike’s from space..Oh, I know, maybe that pretty evil lady bought it for you! Remember she said she’d get you another one?”

Rylan cracked a smile for Chloe.

“Yeah, that pretty evil lady said a lot of things.”

The house door slammed open and Leif charged out in his school uniform to ogle the new motorcycle.

“It’s spectacular, I must ride it!” he shouted hopping behind Chloe.

Rylan hesitated.

“Yeah, Leif..I don’t think I can accept this bike-”

Chloe cut him off.

“Leif, you have to give me a ride to school in time for everyone to see us because,” she blushed averting her eyes… “Because you’re my boyfr- um..bodyguard and all and it’ll be cool if we ride in together...I guess.” Her face beet red.

Leif spun toward Chloe and gave her the ‘nice guy thumbs up’ and smiled with a gleam in his teeth, ding!

“Fantastic idea Chloe, but I’ll only do it if you let me pop-a-wheelie in the parking lot in front of your friends!” said Leif.

“Yaaa!” cried Chloe.

Rylan intervened.

“Um...I don’t think that’s such a good idea Chlo-”

Rylan’s words fell on deaf ears as Chloe ran back to the house to grab her bag, eyes sparkling in love. As Chloe hit the porch steps Rylan glanced up at Maya standing in the doorway, shaking her head in disapproval at him.

“What?” cried Rylan, “You act like I asked for this!”

Maya smirked and stepped back in the house.

*Here's the bike- EBR 1190rs

Ampsediun

Five minutes later, Rylan watched Leif and Chloe zoom down the road and disappear on the new motorcycle. As if they rode it all their lives.

“Man, is there anything Leif can’t do?”

“Stop admiring my brother, he’s always been like that,” snarked Maya walking out of the house carrying both of their bags.

The duo hopped in the Dodge Challenger and Rylan, as usual, strapped his seatbelt on tight as Maya raced out of the yard screeching the tires on the asphalt.

“Jeez, do you always have to drive like this?” said Rylan holding his seat belt.

She turned to him with a scowl.

“Rylan, you need to be careful around Anya.”

“Maya, I never asked her for that road-rocket, I asked her to give me my bike back. The one she stole!”

“Well that may be the case but now, because of the way you charged up yesterday, she knows how much ampsediun you can handle.”

Rylan paused and faced her.

“What is ampsediun?”

She slowed the car down.

“It’s an extremely rare particle that fuels rift gates, thus allowing travel between dimensions...And … it's the glowing amber energy you felt when the gate opened.”

“You mean the same energy I felt yesterday?” he asked.

“Yes.”

“Ok, so where does ampsediun come from?”

Maya turned her head with a smirk.

“Where do you think?...Grounder.”

Rylan took a moment.

“Wait...are you saying me and my sister...make this stuff?”

She paused.

“Rylan….you really need to be careful around Anya. Because right now all my brother and I can do is wait and play defense until that gate in your yard is ready to pop again,” said Maya.

“..I will-”

“No! You’re not hearing me,” she calmed herself, “...When that day comes, and that gate is ready to open, she will make you and Chloe a part of her plan,” said Maya.

She stared at Rylan hard to sear the message. After a second he answered.

“I hear you..”

Later At School

Rylan took lunch in the auditorium while searching backstage for usable costumes. In a small dressing room he thumbed through garments hanging on a roller rack.

I know there’s a ‘knight’ costume in here, I saw it last semester. Damn, and there’s only one week until the fes-

“Did you like my gift, lover?”

That voice. Rylan spun and faced.

“No no no! Anya, you can’t keep stalking me! I’m calling the cops!” shouted Rylan, whipping out his phone.

Anya stepped toward him, beaming with innocence.

“Rylan! What are you talking about? I came to discuss the finances of your play and,” her eyes drooped in despair, “... I’m always so happy to see you but you say these mean things to me, oh boo hoo!” she covered her face and cried.

Oh good grief!

“Anya...Ms. Cesar..There, there,” he sort of consoled her, “W-What about the play finances?”

“Oh, so you’re interested in me now, hmph!” she pouted.

“Ms. Cesar...”

Anya perked up, and closed in.

“Sweet Rylan, since I’m the faculty in charge of the science club I can approve the surplus finances for you and your play...or disapprove them,” she said with an evil smile.

He paused, but stood firm.

“I can go around you-”

“No handsome, you can’t. Club charter states all club finances must be drawn from the school joint account. No outside financing. A way to prevent poor kids’ clubs becoming unequal to rich kids’ clubs in a festival.”

“How progressive,” said Rylan. He put his head down and calmly asked, “What do you want Anya?”

Her smile grew more sinister as she reached out and buried his face in her breasts.

“I want a lot of things Rylan,” she whispered, “...In due time.”

“Mmph- I can’t breathe-”

“But today I just want you to be happy with the things I can provide for you baby~”

His eyes shot up from her bosom.

“Seriously? Do you think I’m impressed with that motorcycle, ha ha no!” he pushed her away, “Ms. Cesar, if you want to make me happy then gimme back the bike you stole.”

Anya frowned.

“Baby, why do you want that piece of shit ba-”

“I just do, and it’s none of your business why,” snapped Rylan.

“Ok, you don’t have to yell at me!” she turned away in despair, “Why are you always so mean to me?”

Omg, this woman~ugh.

“Anya...I’m not going to play your game. Now yes or no, are you going to return my bike and approve the finances for the play?”

“Hmm..” She caressed his face, “All these things you want, but what if I say no?”

He tensed at her response, but Anya pulled him in and pressed her lips to his.

“Ahem!..Ms. Cesar!”

“Oh Rylan, you’re such a prude, and yes you can have almost everything you want, since I'm an agreeable woman....that is...provided my needs are met,” she hissed in his ear.

Rylan remained stone.

“Please don’t confuse needs with wants, Ms. Cesar,” he whispered back.

“Heh heh, clever boy,” she chuckled, “In that case, do make sure you follow your own advice.”

“Excuse me? What do you me-”

“Sssshhh~” Anya shut his mouth with her finger. “Patience baby... you and me are gonna speak again real soon about how you can get what you want from me.”

“What?” snapped Rylan.

“Not now, and don’t you dare tell Maya about this ‘talk’ if you don’t want me to make trouble,” said Anya, locking Rylan in a deathly glare.

He stumbled back.

..S-She’s serious..

As Rylan stood frozen, Anya glanced at the exit door and straightened herself up.

“Hmm, someone’s coming. Look sharp Rylan and remember to keep your mouth shut if you know what’s good for you!”

Buds

Excited about his first official practice today, Leif ate lunch in the school weight room while he took an early workout. Carlos and a few other teammates joined him.

“I’m telling you bro, Coach ain’t replacing Taylor as Quarterback this season. But we need a running back real bad!” said Carlos while spotting Leif on the weight bench.

“Hmm..I guess that’s fair, I’ll play where the team needs me,” said Leif benching the heavy bar.

The weight room door opened and Evan entered, stretching his shoulders. Leif glanced up and made eye contact with him, before they both turned away.

“Yo Evan you lifting today, bro?” asked Carlos.

“Just a little, I wanted to get some cardio in,” said Evan pointing toward the treadmill room in back.

Leif sat up on the bench while his eyes followed Evan who fled to the rear.

“Carlos I’m gonna stretch, and I know you want to put heavier weights on this bar,” said Leif standing up.

“Good idea bro, go stretch! I don’t need you getting injured on your first official practice!” barked Carlos, prepping the bar for heavier weights.

Leif smiled and headed for the treadmill room. When he entered his eyes caught Evan’s, who evaded.

“Hey manager Evan, thank you for the ride yesterday and also I have my first practice today!” he smiled.

“Ha, it's cool dude, and yeah I know about your practice, I make the roster,” said Evan smiling and setting up a treadmill.

“Oh right! Hey, remember when we discussed proper stretching techniques in your sports medicine training?” asked Leif

“Oh yeah, I remember, why? Do you need help with your warm up stretching?”

“Yes, I mean..if that’s ok?” asked Leif, humbly.

Evan stepped forward and lifted Leif’s wrist to measure his pulse.

“Alright, before we get started let me at least make sure you’re..hey...your heartbeat is a little- Oh!”

Leif wrapped his arms around Evan, and kissed him. After a moment Evan resisted.

“Dude, what are you doing? I’m not gay!”

Leif stood befuddled.

“I don’t know this word...Does it mean I am not your type?” asked Leif.

“Type? Dude? I ..I mean...we can’t-”

“You aren’t saying no!” whispered Leif.

He pulled Evan again, and kissed him long and hard.

Evan’s defenses crumbled as Leif held him and ravaged his mouth and neck, before reaching below.

“Oh no!” Evan stepped back. “Leif, I don’t know where you’re from...but here...we can’t do this.”

“Do what? Kiss each other?..Well perhaps not in public since displays of affection-”

“Leif, we can’t..not in New Mexico,” said Evan picking up his bag to leave.

Leif stared at Evan, dejected, “Evan...I’m sorry if I upset you..I didn’t know-”

Evan put his hand on top of Leif’s head to pat him, and smirked.

“Dude!..I know, it’s cool. Just..don’t be late for practice!”

Evan tried to walk away but Leif held his arm, and the two stood in silence for a moment, before facing each other.

“Leif..I gotta go..”

“..Ok..I’ll….I won’t be late for practice,” said Leif, releasing Evan.

Evan walked to the door and half turned, as if to speak again, but remained silent then left the room.

Conditions

Maya ate and joked with a crew of cool sophomore girls at lunch, but after twenty minutes she grew concerned not seeing Rylan or her brother in the cafeteria.

Stupid Leif, he’s probably working out or something...but where’s Rylan?

Maya excused herself and bee-lined for the auditorium. As she reached the main doors Rylan, Rebecca and Anya stepped out in front of her.

Maya waved, “Rylan, you...why are you with Anya?” she said staring at the raven haired teacher.

“As opposed to being with you? Hmph!” pouted Anya.

Rylan glanced at Anya then Maya and uttered, “Uh, well..she-”

“Hello to you too Maya, and who’s Anya?” asked Rebecca.

Maya smirked.

“Oh, I’m sorry these days she goes by Ms. Cesar, ruler of chemistry class,” snarked Maya glaring at Anya.

“Heh heh, that’s pretty funny,” laughed Rylan.

Anya scowled at Rylan.

“It’s not funny how she disrespects me Rylan, after all I did for her, hmph I’m leaving!”

Anya stormed off ten feet then spun around.

“Hi, all three of you have fourth period lab with me today, don’t be late!”

“We won’t Ms. Cesar,” chorused Rebecca, Rylan and Maya.

“Oh, you’re all such fine students, except for you Maya!” barked Anya vanishing down the hall.

Maya shook her head and faced Rylan.

“What did Anya want?” she asked him.

“Uh? She um-”

“She decided we have to be rivals and friends,” said Rebecca.

Maya turned to Rebecca puzzled.

“I’m sorry, what did Ms. Cesar decide now?”

Rebecca reached in her bag and pulled out a handful of tickets, then placed two in Maya’s hand.

“Ms. Cesar and I were girl talking,” said Rebecca.

“Girl talking about what?” snapped Maya balling a fist and nearly crushing the tickets.

Rebecca jumped back, startled.

“Maya!” growled Rylan, defending Rebecca.

Maya glanced at Rylan’s angry face and composed herself.

“Hmph..What were you saying Rebecca?” asked Maya.

Rebecca continued.

“I was just saying that Ms. Cesar told me that your tough girl act was just a front and you were a really sweet girl and a science nerd like me!” she smiled.

Maya stepped back, unsure of Rebecca.

“Did Ms. Cesar really tell you that or is this a prank? Because if it is-”

“Eh? No no, Rylan tell her,” begged Rebecca.

Rylan put his hand on Maya’s shoulder.

“Maya it’s cool. Ms. Cesar approved the funding for the play...provided we meet a few of her conditions.”

He pointed to the ticket in Maya’s hand. She read the print.

“Greater city fair? What is this?”

Rylan and Rebecca smirked.

“Ms. Cesar bought all of us tickets to the fair...as part of those conditions,” said Rylan scratching his head.

Maya crossed her arms and glared at Rylan with her eyes squinted shut.

“Tell me more about these...conditions..Rylan-Rilly!”

...

How's the story so far, please let me know ^_^